Carbonated liquid dispensing apparatus



Sept. 29, 1936. w. c. BUTTNER ET AL CARBONATED LIQUID DISPENSINGAPPARATUS Filed June 22, 1934 i if Patented Sept. 29, 1936 PATENTvori-*ICE CABBONATED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS William C. Buttner andSherburne D, Levings, Winnetka, Ill., assignors to Bastian-Blessing-Company, Chicago, lll.

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a corporation of 1111-" Application June 22, 1934, Serial No. 731,943

'1 Claims. (Cl. 2254-30) The invention relates generally to beveragedispensing apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus fordispensing carbonated water.

'It is Well known to those skilled in the artthat the palatabiiity andsparkling appearance of beverages made from a fiavoring syrup'andcarbonated water depend upon a high content of carbonio acid gas in thecompletely prepared v beverage. Carbonated water. in order to containmany times its volume of carbonio acid gas, is normally maintained undera pressure of to 15G pounds. When the water is discharged directly toatmosphericA pressure, an excessive ebullition takes place with numerousundesirable results. Of these,v the most undesirable is the extreme lossof carbonio acid gas with the result that the -beverage is flat,non-sparkling and unpalatable. Another undesirable result is that withcertain types of Syrups the excessive ebullition overflows thereceptacle in which the beverage is served and carries with it a largeportion of the syrup and water so that often times the receptacle isonly `half full when the ebullition subsides. Also contributing to theloss of gas is the excessive agitation to which the water is subjectedboth in its discharge into the container and in the subsequent stirringor mixing of the drink.

It is a general object of the invention therefore to provide a novel andimproved dispensing apparatus in which excessive ebullition andagitation of the water are prevented whereby a high carbonio acid gascontent 'is maintained and a full receptacle of sparkling and palatablebeverage results.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method ofdispensing a carbonated liquidby means of lwhich a. high carbonio acidgas content is maintained, the method including the steps of firstreducing the pressure of they carbonated liquid to atmospheric'pressureand then discharging the liquid slowly into a receptacle by controllingthe back pressure therein.

Another object is to provide a simple apparatus for practicing'the abovemethod, more particularly, to provide a carbonated water dispens-v ingapparatus of such character having secured to its discharge spout amember adapted to constitutev a closure for a glass or the like, placedcentrally thereof, said member forming a closure for a glass or the likeplaced beneaththe spout and disposed at an angle to the spout so thatwhen the glass is positioned with.its edge held against the sealingsurface of the member, the 5 discharge from the spout will strike theside of the glass at a slight angle and further prevent excessiveebullition of gas.

'Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description 10` view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2. 2

Adior purposes of disclosure, the invention is shown in the drawing andwill be described hereinafter as embodied in a dispensing-apparatusadapted to be attached to a conventional dispensing nozzle alreadyinstalled. Generally 25 the apparatus comprises a measuring and pressurereducing device in combination with means operable to form with a glassor other receptacle a chamber in which a slight back-pressure is builtup to prevent excessive ebullition when the carbonated water is flowedinto the glass at reduced pressure.

The measuring and pressure reducing device may be of any conventionalconstruction suitable for the purpose, the specii'lc construction dis-35 closed being a preferred embodiment. Herein the device comprises acylindrical container 5 having a bottom wall 6 with a threaded centralaperture 1. Depending from the bottom wa1l'6 and threaded into theaperture 'I is an elongated 4 discharge spout 8, the upper end of whichforms a valve seat 9.

A closure for the top of the container 5 forms a housing for valve meanscontrolling the flow of carbonated water to the container and the re- 45duction of pressure in the container at the time the water isdischarged. This closure comprises a cast top wall I0 formed with aperipheral, in' wardly-projecting flange II fitting snugly withinintegrally with the top wall and extending beyond the periphery thereof,is a threaded socket I2 by means of which the device may be attached tothe nozzle I3 of a conventional draft arm and the cylindrical side wallsof the container 5. Cast 50 valve generally designated I4. The socket I255 'through the top wall I0 also constitutes the means for supportingthe dispensing apparatus.

Leading from the socket; I2 is an inlet passage including a duct I5terminating within a circular, upwardly opening recess I6 formed in thetop wall I eccentrically thereof. Disposed diametrically opposite theterminous of the duct I and located concentrically of the top wall I0 isan aperture I1 affording communication between the container 5 and therecess I6. The inlet passage is completed by an inverted U-shaped ductI8 formed in a rotary valve member I9 positioned in the recess I 6, theduct I8 operating in one position of the valve member to connect theduct I5 and the aperture I1.

Means is provided within the container 5 automatically to close thedischarge spout 8 in response to the influx of water from the draft armI4. Herein this means comprises an elongated tube 20 threaded at itsupper end into an annular, inwardly-projecting iiange 2I on the top wallI0. Reciprocable vertically within the tube 20 is a piston 22 having arod 23 rigid therewith which carries at its lower end a valve 24operable to seat 'on the upper end of the discharge spout 8 to close theopening therein. The piston 22 has a depression 25 in its upper surfaceand is normally retained in the upper portion of the tube 2U by means ofa compression spring 26 abutting at one end against a shoulder of thepiston and at the other end against a washer 21 secured in the lower endof the tube 20.

Formed in the tube 20 just below the annular flange 2|, are a pluralityof circumferentially spaced slots 28. These slots are so positioned andthe piston 22 and its rod 23 are so proportioned that when the pistonmoves downwardly a distance permitting communication Between theaperture I1 and the slots 28, the valve member 24 rests upon valve seat9 to prevent discharge of water from the container. Thus it will be seenthat when the rotary valve member I9 is in the position shown in Fig. 1,the aperture I1 communicates with the draft arm I4. The water in thepassage then acts upon the piston 22 to move the same downwardly untilthe apertures 28 are uncovered, such movement of the piston also causingthe member 24 to rest on the seat 9 and prevent discharge of water fromthe container. Once the valve member 24 is seated the pressure of wateron the top surface thereof maintains the valve closed against the actionof the spring 26 until the pressure in the container is reduced.

During the flow of water into the container 5, a certain amount ofcarbonio acidgas escapes therefrom and accumulates in the upper portionof the container. Means is provided herein for venting the free carbonioacid gas so accumulating and thereby also reducing the pressure on thewater within the container. To that end the top wall IIl is providedwith an aperture 29 (see Figs. 2 and 3) and with a duct 30 terminatingat one end in the recess I6 diametrically opposite the aperture 29 andin a plane at right angles to a plane passing through the aperture I1and duct I5. The duct 30 terminates at the other end in a verticallydisposed tube 3I threaded into the top wall I0 and extending downwardlythrough the bottom Wall 6 where it vents to the atmosphere. The duct 30and the aperture 29 are adapted to be connected by the duct I8 in thevalve member I9 when the same is disposed in the position shown in Fig.2, that is, at right angles to the position of Fig. 1. Thus rotation ofthe valve member I9 to the position of Fig. 2 rst cuts off thesupply ofcarbonated water to the container 5 and then connects the container toatmosphere to enable the free carbonic acid gas in the top thereof toescape.

The rotary valve member I9 is provided with a squared hub 32 which isreceived within a socket member 33 extending outwardly through a cap 34threaded to the top wall II). The socket carries a suitable operatinghandle 35 which is secured thereon by a nut 36. A thumb screw 31 isthreaded in the socket member 33 and abuts the hub 32 of the rotaryvalve to seat the same rmly on a washer 38 suitably apertured andinterposed between the valve member and the bottom of the recess I6. Ifdesired, spring means may be incorporated in the valve mechanismreturning it to venting position to prevent the operator from permittingwater to stand in the chamber and become stagnant.

As a result of the venting of the free carbonio acid gas accumulated inthe top of the container 5, the pressure within the container 5 isreduced to atmospheric pressure enabling the spring 26 to move thepiston 22 upwardly and open the discharge spout 8. The water in thecontainer 5 then flows by gravity through the discharge spout 8 into aglass or other suitable receptacle 39 positioned beneath the spout.Because of the described method of drawing the carbonated water, thecarbonio acid gas content is materially higher than when the water isdischarged under high pressure directly into the glass 39.

It was found by experiment however, that even though the water isdischarged into the bottom of the glass at atmospheric pressure, thereis still excess ebullition with a result that much gas escapes, much ofthe beverage is carried out of the glass and when the effervescingsubsidies, the glass is often only partially filled and the beverage hasnot been thoroughly mixed. Means is provided herein for preventing suchexcessive ebullition with its undesirable results and for properlymixing the water and syrup without mechanical stirring with its furtherloss of gas. This is effected by discharging the carbonated water intothe glass 39 under a slight back-pressure and the means providedcomprises simply a disk 40 having a hub 4I slidably mounted on thedischarge spout 8. The disk constitutes a closure for the glass 39 andforms therewith a backpressure chamber. The disk is secured to the spoutin the desired position by means of a set screw 42 and is preferablyprovided on its under surface with a pad 43 of resilient material toprovide an effective seal for the top of the glass and to preventbreakage of the glass. As the carbonated water ows into the glass, anyescaping gas will build up a back-pressure retarding the ow of waterthereby causing the same to be discharged gently into the glass withvery little agitation. The operator of the apparatus can control theback-pressure to insure continued flow of the water by merely tiltingthe glass slightly away from the disk. The rate of ow of water from thecontainer 5 may also be iniiuenced by moving the valve member I9 to anintermediate position in which is closes both the inlet passage and thevent to atmosphere.

Further to insure the maintenance of a high gas content, the disk 40 ispositioned at an angle with respect to the horizontal so that when theoperator places the glass 39 against the disk, the spout 8 will bedirected toward a side Wall of the glass rather than the bottom. As aresult the anchoas carbonated water is caused to run gently down theside of the glass and thus has aminimum amount of disturbance.'Discharging the water down the yside of the glass also gives thereto astirring motion thus mixing the syrup at the bottom of the glass withthe waterand, in most instances, obviating the necessity of stirringwith a spoon when the contents oi the glass is exposed to atmosphere.

'I'he operation of the apparatus is extremely simple, in i'act, becauseot its feature of construction compelling the operator to follow acertain method in drawing the carbonated water, less4 skill andtechnique are required to insure a palatable beverage than with presentapparatus. Assuming that the handle is in the position o! Fig. 2, thatis, with the valve I9 closing the supply passage and venting the chamberI to atmosphere, preparing a beverage would involve the following simpleoperationsz--The valve is tlrst rotated to connect the chamber 5 to thesupply of carbonated water. In the subsequent discharge the valve 24automatically closes the spout B'and the discharge takes place with aminimum loss of gas because it is directed into'an air tight containerand not directly to atmosphere.

When the chamber is full or the supply line pressure is equalized, thevalve handle is returned to its initial position whereby the carbonatedwater supply is automatically cut-oi! and the chamber vented toatmosphere to reduce the pressure on the water. While the valve is somanipulated with one hand the operator places a glass under thedischarge spout with its mouth against the disk 40. The tilt of the diskinduces the operator to place the glass in the proper position below thespout, namely, with the water flowing down the side oi' the glass. Thuswhen the valve 24 opens automatically, as a result of venting of thechamber 5, the water iiows by gravity gently down the side of the glass.AIn this manner it has a minimum of agitation and also has a stirringaction on the syrup or other solution in the bottom of the glassobviating the necessity of stirring the mixture with a spoon. There isthus a minimum loss of gas.

Not only is the ow of water without agitation because it is down theside of the glass but the flow is retarded and gentle because it isagainst a slight back-pressure built up in the glass closed by the sealestablished by pad 43 against the edge of the glass. The back-pressuremay be regulated to maintain the flow by tilting the glass slightly awayfrom the pad.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing that the use of the apparatusdescribed will result in a sparkling, more palatable beverage than hasbeen obtained heretofore. This result is obtained because the carbonicacid gas content oi the ilnished beverage is materially increased overregular soda draft arm dispensing and this increase is obtainedregardless of how the operator may mix the drink A because the apparatusinsures a high content of for venting the same, said pressure responsivemeans operating automatically upon venting oi the container to open thedischarge spout and permit iiow trom the container by gravity, and amember secured to the spout and positioned to form a closure for areceptacle placed to receive the discharge from the spout and formingtherewith a back-pressure chamber effective to prevent excessiveebullition. v

2. For use with a receptacle in which a beverage is served, a carbonatedwater dispensing apparatus comprising a container having an inletopening for connection with a supply line and a downwardly projectingdischarge spout, pressure responsive means within the containeroperating automatically to close said spout when said container isconnected to the supply line, valve means for controlling the flow ofhigh pressure water to said container and tor connecting the same toatmosphere to vent the container, said pressure responsive meansoperating automatically upon venting of the container to open thedischarge spout, and a disk-like member secured to said spout andpositioned to close the receptacle placed to receive the discharge fromthe spout and forming therewith a back-pressure chamber, the pressure ofwhich is controlled by manipulation of the receptacle, effective tocontrol the rate of discharge and thereby prevent excessive ebullitionduring discharge into the receptacle.

3. An apparatus for dispensing carbonated water comprising, incombination, a pressure reducing device having an elongated' dischargespout and a disk-like member mounted on' saidspout for adjustmentlongitudinally thereof and adapted to close the mouth of a receptaclereceiving the discharge from said spout to form with the receptacle aback-pressure chamber, said member being disposed at an angle less thana right angleto said spout so that the discharge will be directed down aside wall of the receptacle.

4. An apparatus for dispensing carbonated water comprising, incombination, a pressure reducing device having a discharge spout and adisk-like member secured to said spout and adapted to form a closure forthe mouth of a receptacle receiving the discharge from said spout, saidmember being disposed at less than a right angle to said spout at thepoint of attachment so that the spout will discharge against a side wallof the receptacle placed with its mouth against the disk.

5. An apparatus for discharging carbonated water from a high pressuresource at atmospheric pressure into a receptacle held in a hand of anoperator of the apparatus comprising a pressure reducing device forfirst drawing the carbonated water and reducing the pressure thereof toatmospheric pressure and then permitting iiow therefrom by gravity, andsealing means for the mouth oi the receptacle forming with thereceptacle when positioned to receive the discharge from the device aback-pressure chamber the pressure of which is controlled bymanipulation of the recep- 7. The method of dispensing carbonated waterfor use in mixing a beverage having a syrup base including the steps ofdischarging a measured 4- @osmose quantity of water into a. closedcontainer, venting therein and controlling the back-pressure in the thecontainer to atmosphere to reduce the presreceptacle by manipulation ofthe receptacle to sure of the water within the container to atmoscontrolthe rate of ow of Water.

pheric pressure, owing the water in the container WILLIAM C. BU'I'INER.

by gravity into a receptacle containing the syrup SHERBURNE D. LEVINGS.5 base and having a. slight back-pressure built up

